When it comes to fly design, I always ask, “What do I want the fly to do?” With the Deep Threat, the answers came easy. I wanted a fly that would sink quickly. I wanted a fly that was highly impressionistic (Sculpin? Salamander? Frog?). I wanted a fly that would create the illusion of life, even if it were at rest. A fly rendered in natural earth tones. Most of all, I wanted a fly I could fish along the bottom, hook point up, in the cold winter waters of the Farmington River.

And here it is. The Deep Threat draws from many patterns. You can see little bits of Woolly Bugger, Zonker, Peanut Envy, and Alaskabou in its lineage. Its core of natural materials will whisper to the trout, “I’m alive.” There’s a calculated minimal use of flash and sparkle; enough to get a brown’s attention without overwhelming the pattern. I’ve been testing the Deep Threat for months, and I’ve been able to get to the bottom of some very deep pools on the Farmington using a full sink tip line and some mends. The fly is officially trout-approved. Fish it, like I do, with confidence.

The Deep Threat

Hook: TMC 2220 size 4

Cone: Large black tungsten

Thread: Olive 6/0

Tail: Grizzly rabbit strip the length of the shaft, inverted; 8 strands green Krystal flash on sides

Body: Olive Ice Dub, palmered with olive schlappen

Legs: 3 strands Golden yellow/pearl flake Crazy Legs, divided

Hackle: 3-4 turns olive marabou

Collar: Olive Ice Dub

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Here’s another version of the Deep Threat that uses browns and oranges.

Hook: TMC 2220 size 4

Cone: Large black tungsten

Thread: Olive 6/0

Tail: Crawfish orange rabbit strip the length of the shaft, inverted; 8 strands green Krystal flash on sides

Body: Rusty brown Ice Dub, palmered with fiery brown schlappen

Legs: Golden yellow/pearl flake Crazy Legs

Hackle: 3-4 turns rusty brown marabou

Collar: Rusty brown Ice Dub

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Tying notes: Since the fly rides hook point up, be sure to invert the tail. Total length of the fly is just over 3″. I don’t use a dubbing loop for the Ice Dub. The schlappen is palmered for 6-7 wraps. Pull the Crazy Legs off in a group of three, and leave the ends connected until the fly is complete. 3-4 wraps of marabou are all you need; you’re just creating a veil around the body.

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The Deep Threat Rogues’ Gallery

Eighteen-inch brown, Farmington River, 12/3/15

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Seventeen-inch brown, Farmington River 3/10/15.

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Someteen-inch Farmington River brown, December 2014